The British revolution in the UFC is going strong. Following Michael Bisping’s legacy, Leon Edwards came into the mix, eventually becoming a champion. Next, you have the breakout star in the heavyweight division—Tom Aspinall, the latest English export in the organization is none other than the scrappy Scouser Paddy Pimblett. Tearing through the UFC’s lightweight division, Pimblett was already a famous name in his city of Liverpool. His entry into the UFC, however, sent Pimblett into a new stratosphere of popularity.
With wins over the likes of Tony Ferguson and King Green, Pimblett stands with the momentum on his side to face off against Michael Chandler at UFC 314. In what is going to be the biggest fight of his career, Pimblett cannot afford any injuries or any slip-ups. Chandler’s explosiveness and experience is something Paddy knows he can’t take lightly. Both fighters should expect nothing less than a war. Keeping that in mind, any injury or weakness can lead to a brutal ending for either competitor.
Before beating Tony Ferguson, Pimblett had to take a year off from the sport to recover from an injury he went through in his previous fight. Pimblett, while gleefully smiling, showed the camera a bruised and swollen ankle, red. Pimblett and the MMA community did not think much of the injury then. Only if they knew what was going to follow. Let’s find out.
Paddy Pimblett suffers an ankle injury
At UFC 282, Paddy Pimblett faced off against Jared Gordon. Pimblett, who was already on a three-fight winning streak, had the most difficult fight of his career against Gordon. In a fight that could’ve gone either way, it was controversially favored towards Paddy Pimblett, a victory for which the Scouser was heavily criticized. Though that may have seemed like his only problem, the ankle injury he revealed during a post-fight interview turned out to be the reason behind Pimblett’s one-year absence from competition.
In what was a heavy blow for Pimblett, the ankle injury could’ve only gotten worse if it had not been dealt with properly. What we saw in the footage was a painful sight for any viewer. Even if the MMA community was not fond of his antics, no one wanted to see a rising talent suffer such injuries. One year of your career can be a huge loss, and even more if you are an up-and-coming fighter. Pimblett told the MMA community: “I’ve already been on them (crutches) for six, six and a half… I’ll be lucky to fight this year.”
December 10, 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States: LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 10: Paddy Pimblett battles Jared Gordon in their Lightweight fight during the UFC 282 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Las Vegas, Nevada United States – ZUMAp175 20221210_zsa_p175_170 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex
It was a major setback for the Scouser. A fighter with high spirits, Pimblett remained hopeful and positive throughout his recovery. As a fighter, it’s a situation you have to be mentally strong for, and he handled the controversy around his return with great professionalism. He had to bear the bad news of further delays in his fights on multiple occasions as the injury required surgery on multiple occasions for an optimal recovery.
Pimblett’s recovery, surgery & UFC return
It’s a heavy feeling seeing a fighter with so much potential on the sidelines. To take a whole year off from the sport and watch your division move forward without you when you have so much potential is quite heartbreaking. Paddy’s wife even revealed once: “It’s different when it’s your arms, at least you can walk about. But with your legs – he was literally stuck in and I think it really did take a toll on his mental health”.
Following his recovery from the injury, Pimblett even revealed he was on a lot of painkillers during his preparation for his next fight. In what was a dominant performance from ‘The Baddy’ against a rusty Tony Ferguson at UFC 296, Pimblett showed no signs of weakness throughout. Given it was a fight most knew he was going to win, his next performance hyped up his fans and concerned his haters out of their chairs.
At UFC 304, Pimblett submitted King Green within the first round of the fight. While many hoped for Green to show Pimblett the levels of MMA, Pimblett had already built a habit of proving his doubters wrong. As he heads inside the Octagon again at UFC 314, Pimblett has shown no signs of slowing down. Although his injury was concerning, now it seems that it does have a mental toll on the Scouser anymore. A relief not only for Pimblett for his fans as well. Will he Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett be able to beat Michael Chandler?
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